Losing a Job Can Be a Winning Experience

What I Learned from Being Laid Off
With millions of people being laid off and unemployment at its highest level in 15 years, it’s hard to believe that anything good could come out of what seems like such a dismal situation. But as the old adage says, “Everything happens for a reason.” To that end, here are stories that tell of the good side of being laid off.
Click through Beliefnet’s gallery of inspiring stories from our community users on how getting laid off changed their lives…for the better!

Continued on Slide 2: Material Things Don't Define You »

I have my own story that is kinda long and complicated, but basically I left my job as English Learner Coordinator in LA to move to San Diego and plan my wedding. My future husband allowed me to take time off so we could fix up the house.
The following school year I started subbing as it was looking like I was not going to get a full-time job. I also started looking into Graduate School and, after talking to my husband, decided to go after my dream and get an MFA in Creative Writing. I would write the novel I have been carrying around for almost twenty years.
I finally got a job just before my husband's favorite house went up for sale. We bought the house, but I lost the job just before we moved in. Our realtor convinced my husband he could handle the payments. Plus he got a great price on his bachelor home.
I did take one more full-time job before realising that I could not run a household, do my writing and work full-time (actually, teachers work about 60 hours a week). I was miserable to be around everytime I got a job, but I also was having a hard time justifying a life without teaching. For the third time, I went back to subbing and this time I will stick to it.
Hopefully, I will get my book published and do the coaching and maybe even have the opportunity to teach adults, but until that happens, I will continue to sub and enjoy my time in my beautiful home with my wonderful husband.
My own lesson is that life doesn't have to be difficult. We can find ways to make our dreams a reality and mold our life into the life we love.

Let me know if you have a story like this. I could tell you others. My father and my brother-in-law both discovered that everything happens for a reason.

Transform Your Life

13 Ways to Transform Your Life Lessons
Janice Taylor learned from her own life-changing leap of faith five years ago.
By Janice Taylor
Five years ago, Beliefnet blogger Janice Taylor took a mammoth leap of faith, diving headfirst into the proverbial pool of life. Determined to transform and reinvent her life and herself, she moved from large to small (size 18 to a size 4), from quiet to not-so-quiet, from stage-frightened to spotlight-craving, and from office worker to independent weight loss guru.
Today, Janice is a Life & Wellness Coach, the author of the best-selling "Our Lady of Weight Loss" and "All Is Forgiven, Move On"), a popular Beliefnet blogger, an inspiring motivational speaker, and a columnist. Her success-and the life changes that got her here--got us to wondering. How did Janice take that leap of faith and stick the landing? How did she avoid getting swallowed up by the fear monster and thoughts of failure?
Here, on the fifth anniversary of reinventing herself, Janice shares her secrets.Learn how you can transform your life.Janice Taylor is the author of the "Our Lady of Weight Loss" blog on Beliefnet, and the book, "All is Forgiven, Move On."
Continued on Slide 2: Leap of Faith: Ready, Fire, Aim! »

Ask Dr. Seligman A Question

You may have to join to ask a question. I'm not sure.
Dr. Martin Seligman is the father of positive psychology and an advisor to happier.com.In the national media frequently, Dr. Seligman is a leading commentator on happiness, research on well-being, and the field of positive psychology.
happier.com users have a special opportunity to pose a question to Dr. Seligman.
What would you ask Marty Seligman? (Click on the link to submit your question.)Respond by 5pm Eastern time today for a chance at having your question answered in the earliest round. (It's OK to respond later, but your question will not be considered for this round.)
We'll let you know when to start looking for answers to selections of your questions. Some will be answered in video clips, available in the site. Others will be answered on our blog. (Launching soon, the blog happier insights is written by the team at happier.com and practitioners in the field. For more information on the blog, contact Andrew.)
Sincerely,
Robb
happier.com team member

Jill's Book, Mindmapping, etc.

Hi Blissmas Babes,


The Awe-manac has been released! I wrote it for you myself.

Mindmapping:Youtube Video Instruction from a Mindmapping Master
A wonderful mind map of what mind mapping is here.Mindmapping description
We will be doing mind mapping in the upcoming Blissmas Journey (as well as Soul Collage, ATCs, and other realms of Art Therapy)
Today or this week I suggest that you put: DELICIOUS HEALTHY FOOD in the middle of a mind map. One step to beginning to eat well is to imbed the notion of healthy delicious food in your head with visuals, affirmations, acting as if, thought adjustments and mind mapping. I’ll share how mine comes out next time we meet.



What a wonderful life I’ve had. I only wished I’d realized it sooner.
–Colette

Nine Ways to Find Peace of Mind
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Nine Ways to Find Peace of Mind
By Susan Jeffers, Ph.D.
We are an anxious nation...in fact, we are an anxious world. There is no question that uncertainty seems to have increased dramatically in the last few years. We worry about terrorism. We worry about war. We worry about losing our jobs. We worry about the dangers confronting our children. And on and on and on.This worry is understandable, given the state of the world at the present time, but there is no question in my mind that, with the right tools...All of us can rise above any situation that life hands us. All of us can live a fulfilling life in the middle of the turmoil.All of us can find a sense of peace and purpose.
In my newest book, Embracing Uncertainty, I provide the tools that I have found most effective in helping us see the world in a more life-affirming and powerful way.
Learn how to find peace of mind.
Continued on Slide 2: Un-Set Your Heart » Dr. Susan Jeffers is the author of the self-help classic 'Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway.' This article is adapted from her newest book, 'Embracing Uncertainty: Breakthrough Methods for Achieving Peace of Mind When Facing the Unknown,' (St. Martin's Press). © Susan Jeffers 2003. Visit her website at www.susanjeffers.com.

I have all that I need

Angel Message of the Day
I freely circulate what I have. I know there is always enough to go around. I do not subscribe to poverty consciousness.
Read More

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success
Find simple steps to a better life
by Lisa Weseman

Is life just a series of swirling, disconnected moments? Or is there something greater that connects and controls your life. Deepak Chopra, the famous spiritualist and medical doctor, has long taught that everything that is happening in this moment is a result of all the choices you've made mentally up until now. In 1994 he published The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, a ground-breaking book that spelled out principles to live by that he claimed would help you align the various aspects of your spirit to develop a more fulfilling life.
The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success is now available on DVD where it features real-life examples to illustrate the philosophy, which combines Eastern principals like "karma" (one's destiny) and Western principles like "the law of least effort" (going with the flow). So what are the seven laws? And do they really work?

The law of karma Every action generates a force of energy that returns to us in like kind. Choosing actions that bring happiness and success to others ensures the flow of happiness and success to you.
Does it work? The concept of karma crosses many cultures and religions. Some people take it to mean "what goes around, comes around." When someone has wronged you, it's comforting to think they will one day get theirs. But relying too much on the idea of karma can also be dangerous if you start to blame yourself for every bad thing that happens to you. The best way to act on the "law of karma" is to put out the best energy you can, but understand that it might not always come back that way.
The law of least effort Accept people, situations, and events as they occur. Take responsibility for your situation and for all events seen as problems. Relinquish the need to defend your point of view.
Does it work? Chopra says every situation is the seed of an opportunity - and in every seed is the promise of a forest. The challenge is that many of the "seeds" are painful moments we'd rather not experience. The key to accepting this law is to recognize that it is often through pain that we learn the greatest lessons.
The law of pure potentiality Take time to be silent, to just BE. Meditate for 30 minutes twice a day. Silently witness the intelligence within every living thing. Practice non-judgment
Does it work? Finding stillness and quiet with your own spirit can be one of the most difficult - and rewarding - journeys of life. If you are able to regularly connect with yourself in this way, you find yourself on the path to spiritual success.
The law of giving Today, bring whoever you encounter a gift: a compliment or flower. Gratefully receive gifts. Keep wealth circulating by giving and receiving care, affection, appreciation and love.
Does it work? Giving is another concept that seems to cross all cultures and faiths. But at the end of the day, most people still don't realize the transformative power it has. By focusing your gifts outside yourself, you will be more richly rewarded than you can ever imagine
The law of intention and desire Inherent in every intention and desire is the mechanics for its fulfillment. Make a list of desires. Trust that when things don't seem to go your way, there is a reason.
Does it work? One of Chopra's fundamental beliefs is that in order to make change happen in your life, you have to give your deeper instincts a chance. You have to unlearn the tendency to second-guess yourself and trust other people over your own spirit. The first step to making your dreams come true is allowing yourself to decide what those dreams really are.
The law of detachment Allow yourself and others the freedom to be who they are. Do not force solutions - allow solutions to spontaneously emerge. Uncertainty is essential on your path to freedom.
Does it work? Trying to control other people is one of life's most frustrating - and fruitless - endeavors. By letting go of expectations for yourself and others, you free yourself.
The law of dharma Seek your higher Self. Discover your unique talents. Ask yourself how you are best suited to serve humanity. Using your unique talents and serving others brings unlimited bliss and abundance.
Does it work? This really comes down to the question of whether you can actually find a higher purpose in life. The answer: only if you truly want to take the journey.